15 Rat Terrier Mixes (With Pictures)

The tenacious, energetic, and charismatic Rat Terrier has gone through some ups and downs over the years. As their name suggests, they were historically bred for controlling vermin, a role vital to public health and farming. As hygiene practices improved, this role became less critical. However, as a social and friendly dog, the Rat Terrier didn’t completely disappear just because they were no longer considered essential. Despite only being officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2013, they have consistently ranked in the top 100 most popular dogs in the US, coming in 84th in 2025.¹

Rat Terriers are a fun, friendly, inquisitive, and very active breed with a high prey drive. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation, and will chase just about anything that catches their eye. They enjoy the company of other dogs and make great family pets for families with older children (they can be a little nippy around tiny fingers), but are not ideal if you have cats or small animals in the home. Those ratting instincts run deep, and the Rat Terrier will often chase before they think.  

Being fun-loving and robust, the Rat Terrier is also quite popular as one of the dogs involved in a mixed breed, and you may see the word ‘rat’ mixed into quite a few designer, hybrid, or crossbreeds.

Below, we take a look at 15 Rat Terrier Mixes, including some of the more common crosses plus some that are a little rarer. 

A Note on Crossbreeds

You can never completely predict a dog's health, characteristics, or temperament based purely on breed, and when there is more than one breed in the mix, accuracy drops even further. The description of the Rat Terrier mixes in the list below is a guide only, and every individual litter and dog will vary.

You might hear people talk about getting “the best of both” in relation to crossbreeding, and sometimes, you might be fortunate enough to get just that. However, puppies may be just as likely to inherit the worst of both parent breeds, so it’s important to keep that in mind. 

It’s always difficult to predict the temperament of a dog based on breed; even more so when we’re talking about a mix. Much of a dog’s temperament and behavior is guided by early experiences and socialization, but genetics do play a role, and nothing is guaranteed.

Overall, the Rat Terrier is considered a relatively healthy breed, and their genetics may help offset the health issues of dogs with extreme physical characteristics or a high incidence of heritable disease (eg. brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, IVDD). Responsible Rat Terrier breeders will screen for patellar luxation (loose kneecaps), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and eye disorders, even in a crossbreed.  

Top 15 Rat Terrier Mixes

1. Jack-Rat Terrier (Rat Terrier x Jack Russell Terrier)

Both the Rat Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier are similar in many respects, and the resultant Jack-Rat – sometimes called a Jersey Terrier – is likely to be tenacious with a capital T! These lively dogs are energetic, quick-thinking, and need lots of mental stimulation. If you have cats, rabbits, or other small pets, the Jack-Rat is probably not the best choice of housemate.

2. King Rat (Rat Terrier x King Charles Spaniel)

The King Rat will enjoy spending its time at your side, on your lap, or just generally somewhere very close by. The addition of King Charles Spaniel to the hybrid means that you’re likely to have a slightly more chilled-out dog than the purebred Rat Terrier, but be on the lookout for heart murmurs and signs of cardiac disease.

3. Raggle (Rat Terrier x Beagle)

Crossed with the cute and inquisitive Beagle, the Raggle will usually get along with other dogs but will have a strong prey drive and might become overly fixated on smaller pets. Make sure they have excellent recall before letting them off the leash because these pups will follow their noses for miles. The Raggle loves to snuggle with their family and is pretty adaptable to new situations and people, but you’ll never need a doorbell with one in the house – they’ll be the first to let you know that someone – or something – is outside.

4. French Bull Rat Terrier (Rat Terrier x French Bulldog)

With their adorable looks and quirky personalities, the French Bulldog continues to top the AKC list of most popular breeds. However, because they are plagued by multiple health problems, some hope to improve their genetics through a process called ‘outbreeding’, with one example being the French Bull Rat Terrier. This cute and playful crossbreed retains many of the features that make Frenchies popular, but the hope is that the French Bull Rat Terrier may lead a healthier life.

5. Brat (Rat Terrier x Boston Terrier)

Similar in many ways to the aforementioned French Bull Rat, the hilariously named ‘Brat’ is an adorable blend of the Rat Terrier and  Boston Terrier. They often retain their trademark ears and black & white markings of the Boston, but not always. Brats love people and are always on the go, looking for fun. Don’t worry: with good socialization and training, they don’t necessarily live up to the brat name! 

6. Dachrat Terrier (Rat Terrier x Dachshund)

You might think of it as a long-backed terrier or a tall wiener dog, but either way, the Rat Terrier genes tend to dilute the exaggerated back and shortened legs of the Dachshund. However, depending on whether the Dachshund parent possesses the deleterious gene for chondrodystrophy, the hybrid Dachrat Terrier may still have a high risk of spinal injury and intervertebral disc disease, especially if they are fuelled by Rat Terrier energy! Screening is available for this mutation, so if you’re purchasing a puppy, be sure to ask to see the results of genetic testing.

7. Lab Rat (Rat Terrier x Labrador Retriever)

Some call them terriers; others say retriever, but in either case, we couldn’t go past the name ‘Lab Rat’. The Labrador is renowned for being affectionate, highly trainable, and great with families, dogs, and other pets. The addition of Rat Terrier genetics might make the Lab Rat somewhat more energetic, and you’ll need to be careful they don’t become ball-obsessed. Intelligent and eager to please, the Lab Rat is bound to be a good dog for family adventures.

8. Ratoodle (Rat Terrier x Poodle)

Sometimes called the Rattle, Poo-Rat, or, if you’re feeling particularly unkind, the Rat-Poo, the Ratoodle combines the fun and games of the Rat Terrier with one of the world’s most popular and enduring breeds, the Poodle. With their low-shedding coat, the Poodle has become a popular breed to mix with others in the hope that the resultant hybrid will also shed less. Though this is not guaranteed, one thing is for sure, and it’s that the Ratoodle will be super-smart. Their size will depend on whether the Poodle parent is of the standard, miniature, or toy variety.

9. Puggat (Rat Terrier x Pug)

The Pug has long been popular for their cuddly, lapdog nature and quirky, cute appearance. Like the French Bulldog, they are predisposed to quite a few health conditions, and one way to offset some of these is to introduce the genetics of a dog with less extreme features, like the Rat Terrier. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the Puggat – sometimes called Pug-Rat – is inherently healthy, but less exaggerated physical features tend to be less problematic. The Puggat, like several other Pug crosses, tends to look quite similar to the Pug but with a longer face, less protruding eyes, and a longer tail.

10. Rashon (Rat Terrier x Bichon Frise)

The Bichon Frise mix is friendly and playful, often well-suited to families with children. Like the Rattle, the Rashon may shed less fur than the Rat Terrier, and is often as content living in an apartment as they are on a rural property.

11.  Rat-Chi (Rat Terrier x Chihuahua)

The Rat-Chi, one of the older Rat Terrier mixes, is very similar in temperament and appearance to the popular Jack-Chi (Jack Russell x Chihuahua). Crossed with the Chihuahua, the Rat-Chi is great for those who want something small and portable, but a little more robust than the Chihuahua. Be warned – these little cuddle monsters are likely to bark up a storm whenever they see a new person, dog, or suspicious-looking leaf!

12. Rattle Griffon (Rat Terrier x Brussels Griffon)

The Rattle Griffon combines the Rat Terrier with the unique-looking and spirited Brussels Griffon (Griffon Bruxelles). This scruffy little hybrid tends to have a lower risk of dental and respiratory issues than the brachycephalic Brussels Griffon, and is usually more interested in laps than rats. The Rattle Griffon fits in well with families, but will require plenty of exercise and training.

13. Ratsky (Rat Terrier x Siberian Husky)

When you’ve got the desire to own a dog with the wolf-like beauty of the Siberian Husky, but your home and lifestyle are not quite up to the demands of a sledding dog, you might be tempted towards a smaller Husky hybrid. While the Pomsky (Pomeranian x Husky) leads the pack in this department, the Ratsky might be the crossbreed you’re looking for. 

Energetic and eager to please, you might be tempted to file the Ratsky under “best of both worlds”, but be warned: combining the endurance and athleticism of the Husky with the high prey drive and tenacity of the Rat Terrier might not be suitable for everyone, and you’ll need to have plenty of time and space to give the Ratsky lots of exercise and mental stimulation. If you don’t, they will find their own way to keep their mind and body busy, and you might not like it! But if you’re looking for a companion with plenty of get-up-and-go, the Ratsky might be the perfect dog for you.

14. Ratshi Terrier (Rat Terrier x Shih Tzu)

Bringing together the happy-go-lucky Shih Tzu and dynamic Rat Terrier, the Ratshi Terrier is a small breed that loves a fuss. Perfect for people who love the fluff and scruff of the Shih Tzu but want a canine companion with a little more zest, the Ratshi will happily follow you anywhere. They need plenty of exercise and daily brushing, and be sure to give them toys and games to keep them occupied, as they are likely to want to bark when they’re bored or want some attention.  

15. Sprat (Rat Terrier x Spaniel Terrier)

Rounding out our list of Rat Terrier mixes is the Sprat. This is a less-specific cross with any number of spaniel breeds (with the exception of the previously mentioned Cavalier King Charles). You may have a Springer Sprat, a Cocker Sprat, or perhaps a French or Clumber Sprat! Their appearance and temperament will depend somewhat on the specific spaniel mix, but most Sprats tend to be easy to train and make good family pets. If you socialize them early and well, they may be okay living with other animals, but careful and close supervision is essential. 

Rat Terrier Mixes: Wrapping Up

The Rat Terrier is a feisty and lively dog that was bred for hunting rats. It’s a popular breed in its own right, but can add a touch of resilience, energy, and fun when mixed with another. Remember that a crossbreed isn’t guaranteed to be healthier than a purebred dog, and health testing and genetic screening should always be used to reduce the incidence of inherited disease, even when mixing breeds. Much of a dog’s temperament and behavior is driven by their early life experiences, socialization, and training, but whether it’s a French Bull Rat, a King Rat, or a Ratoodle, if the word ‘rat’ is in the mix, you can be pretty sure you’ll have a playful pup that’s ready for anything.

• See also: Raggle (Beagle & Rat Terrier Mix)

Featured Image Credit: Nick Chase 68, Shutterstock